The continuing funding of Ukraine's military and government by America is prolonging this war and causing millions to suffer. If America stops funding Ukraine and promotes a negotiation process, everyone will benefit and the innocent civilians will live for another day. America is causing this war to escalate unnecessarily. We need a change in thinking! Will this happen after November 8?
With a win in the House election this coming Tuesday, I hope that the winners will think more seriously about this war in Ukraine. Funding this war with American dollars is not going to bring us peace. Russia is much to strong to defeat and the best option now is to start a negotiation process with Russia.
The mindset of Zelenskyy and Putin (as of today) promotes war and destruction as neither wants to lose this war. But the bigger issue is the innocent civilians which must suffer because of this continuing war. Both Ukraine and Russia will fight to the end if America wants this to happen. Russia can not be defeated and adding fuel to the fire by adding more funds for Ukraine's fighting is not promoting peace.
So why not stop the funding Ukraine and focus on bringing this war to a close. Negotiation is what needs to happen. Russia is open to negotiation. Ukraine needs to think about their future. To prolong this war will bring more destruction and no win for the people or Ukraine and Russia. I watch the events daily and I suffer at the mindset of America who could act to bring this war to a close (if they desired this outcome).
This coming Tuesday a new group of leaders will be elected to our Congress. Now is the time for the media to promote a mindset of negotiation. Continuing to fund Ukraine with American dollars does not bring this war to a close. It escalates the war and the killing. When will our leaders develop some wisdom? Ending a war requires negotiation...not fighting!
Wisdom says that this war needs to end. The border issues can be settled via negotiation. Russia desires a security border (a buffer territory) and this can be provided via a negotiation process. Compromise may be necessary but this is better than the continuing killing. Nothing is achieved when both sides refuse negotiation. Let's bring this war to a close now.
America can initiate a process of negotiation if they quit funding Ukraine's military and Zelenskyy's government. It's time for wisdom and negotiation is the idea that can work. Get this message to our Congress after this coming election situation. My sense is that the Biden policy (as practiced) will fail. We need new leaders with a mindset that promotes negotiation. This could happen on November 8. My hope is that a new mindset will emerge after this election!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingcomecon.wordpress.com.
Let's think back to the days of Yeshua around 33 A.D. This Jew received an 'anointing' at his baptism from the Creator of our universe. This 'anointing' resulted in a cosmic vision within the spirit of Yeshua that led him to his ministry. His ministry (after his trial with Satan) resulted in his desire to promote the 'Kingdom of his God'. The Gospel of Mark spells this out clearly as his desire and calling. Mark 1: 14.
"Now after John was arrested, Yeshua came into Galilee preaching the gospel of Yahweh (God), saying, the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in this gospel."
The ministry of Yeshua centered on this idea called the 'Kingdom of God'. God rules this universe and all the events within this universe is the clear message. As Creator, it makes sense that God should rule over his creation and that the created (people) should submit to this Sovereign King (ruler).
What has happened, however, is that 'man' has ignored their Sovereign King and tried to rule this universe/planet independently of our Creator God. This has created contention/division/corruption and injustice. The message of King Yahweh is that he should rule over us and we should submit to this rule. If this is done, then peace, happiness, justice, and progress ensues.
What is needed today is for 'man' (politicians) to step down from their rule and allow our Sovereign King to assume his role as RULER. What happens when 'man' rules over 'man'? Think on this! When Biden rules over America he must impose HIS limited will (and ideas) over the entire nation. This produces injustice, contention, corruption, and destruction.
We can witness these events in all the 'man' ruled venues on this planet. Can Putin rule Russia so that everyone has justice, growth, and progress? Can Xi rule China? Can Meloni rule Italy? Can Kristersson rule Sweden? Can Sunak rule Great Britain? What happens under a 'man' ruled system of government? We end up with mandated rules, laws, and regulations which fit the few and ignore the many.
Division and contention develops as people can not agree with the 'limited' mindset of a human politician. The entire planet gets divided as select dictators (man) tries to impose their 'limited' perspective on the many. Freedom is impossible under this type of 'man' ruled system. The 'individual' can not grow to his/her potential. Justice is selected/imposed by those who desire to mandate change via force.
Over time war and destruction develops as each government system fights over the resources and territory of the planet. MIGHT makes RIGHT becomes the philosophy of the 'rulers'. All this leads to continuing wars and rumors of wars. Gradually, the entire world society gets enslaved and controlled by a system which demands conformity to a limited vision of reality. The 'individual' suffers and freedom for everyone (each person) is impossible.
The ONLY system which gives the individual a role to play that is equal with every other individual is the Kingdom of God system. God rules over everyone (fairly) and his spirit allows for everyone to be treated as an equal with the other. Our POTTER understands the Clay and this produces positive benefits for the WHOLE. Our Creator should rule this planet and each created person should submit to this Sovereign.
Religion tries to bring us the Kingdom of God but this does not work as select individuals end up PLAYING GOD. Playing God is what I witness in today's 'man' driven system. Biden plays God for America. Putin plays God for Russia. Xi plays God for China. Each politician tries to rule but nothing works under a 'man' driven system. The answer is the KINGDOM of GOD! See Isaiah 2.
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh God, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he (God) may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. He (God) shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they (the nations) shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not life up sword against nation, neither shall they (the nations) learn war any more."
Message: the Kingdom of God is our answer and this is the government which should be ruling over us. Biden should step down. Putin should step down. Xi should step down. Etc. Every ruler who is PLAYING GOD should step down. We have some 251 countries and territories on this planet. Each has a ruler who tries to govern over subjects. The result is mostly chaos and corruption in every venue.
What does our Creator God say: Ezekiel 37: 27. "My (Yahweh's) dwelling place shall be with the people and I (Yahweh) will be their God, and they (the people) shall be my people." Isaiah 12: 3. "Give thanks to Yahweh, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted." Isaiah 45: 12. "I (Yahweh) made the earth, and created man upon it; it was my (Yahweh's) hands that stretched out the heavens, and I (Yahweh) commanded all their host." Isaiah 45: 19. "I the LORD speak the truth, I (Yahweh) declare what is right. And there is no other God besides me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none besides me (Yahweh God)."
Conclusion: It appears to me that we have only ONE good option when it comes to government. We need our Creator to rule and man needs to act as 'servant'. The coming Kingdom of God is what this planet needs. Those with wisdom can discern this reality. Watch the coming elections over in the USA for evidence of what happens under a 'man' ruled system. In five days we can witness a new group of leaders who will desire to PLAY GOD for the nation. Will this bring us peace and happiness? Think for yourself!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
It is obvious to most biblical scholars and philosophical thinkers that Yeshua/Jesus was a Jew. He viewed himself as a Jew from the tribe of Judah. Judah was an Israelite tribe derived from the Patriot Jacob, son of Issac, son of Abraham. The history which Yeshua learned from boyhood to manhood was text written in this book called the Torah/Tanakh. There was NO new testament text during the life of Yeshua/Jesus.
Yeshua lived in Nazareth of the Galilee and he walked to Jerusalem for his worship at the Temple of Yahweh. At age 12 he is reported to be learning his Jewish history and tradition with the rabbi's at the Temple. This Temple was a symbol of Yahweh's presence and his rule over the tribes of Israel. There were a total of 12 tribes of Israel (son's of Jacob) who viewed reality as derived from the Torah/Tanakh.
Yeshua would know clearly from his theology (and upbringing) that making himself God was anathema to all the principles and the morality within this scripture/text called the Torah. The Torah makes it clear that there is ONLY one God and that this God was Yahweh (the I AM God of Moses). Yeshua would be heretical if he were to ignore his Jewish God and make HIMSELF God. I find this idea ludicrous!
The lifestyle of Yeshua, which we can discern from his time period, reveals that he desired to serve his Jewish God. He desired to be a 'servant' who submitted to this Hebrew God which his parents honored and worshiped at the Temple in Jerusalem. Yahweh had demonstrated with his words and actions that his people were the Israelites who exited Egypt under the leadership of Moses.
The life of Yeshua ended tragically in or around the year 33 A.D. Yeshua had followed the teachings of his cousin, John the Baptist, prior to starting his own ministry. The ministry of John the Baptist was a ministry of 'repentance' and a submitting of oneself to the God of Moses. Yahweh was this God. Salvation and the Kingdom of Yahweh was the goal of John the Baptist and Yeshua.
The idea that Yeshua desired to replace the God of Moses with himself is ludicrous and idolatrous IMO. Yeshua would never desire this theology for himself or his disciples. But everything changed AFTER the death of this servant of Yahweh. New believers (who learned ABOUT this rabbi from Nazareth) started a NEW theology which eventually grew into this Christian Church called the Catholic Church of Rome.
All this happened decades AFTER Yeshua's death and AFTER this new theology emerged which was preached by a prior Jew who hated Yeshua and his ministry (while Yeshua was alive). Yeshua lived from around 4 B.C. to 33 A.D. During this period this Jew from Tarsus (Saul) did not know anything about the ministry of Yeshua and John the Baptist. Saul was a Pharisee who acquired his theological views from the authorities at the Sanhedrin/Temple. Tarsus, his home venue, was some 700 miles from Jerusalem and the Galilee.
Saul learned about this preacher from Galilee just prior to Yeshua's death. The viewpoint of the authorities (at the Sanhedrin) was that Yeshua was a rebel/blasphemer who did not follow the general theology of Moses and the Torah. This viewpoint made Saul of Tarsus (a determined Jew) angry and revengeful (on moral issues). He wanted to kill anyone who followed the teachings of Yeshua (who he assumed wanted to tarnish the core teachings taught within the Torah/Tanakh).
Saul, evidently, continued with his mindset for two or three years AFTER the death of Yeshua. Some time in A.D. 35 -37, Saul went to Damascus to deal with those disciples who wanted to follow the teachings of Yeshua (now dead). It was at this time that he (says) had a VISION from the 'virtual' Yeshua (now in heaven) who spoke to him (within his spirit/mind) and gave him a new gospel. Amazing!
This new gospel was at odds with the original gospel which Yeshua preached while alive. Yeshua preached, while living, that the coming Kingdom of his God was near. But Saul (who then took on the name Paul) nevertheless promoted this new 'visionary' gospel (about Yeshua as one who could SAVE all believers from their personal SIN). The gospel of Saul/Paul changed everything which Yeshua preached during his brief ministry (some 1-3 years).
Over time, this new gospel of Evangelist, Paul, became today's Christianity and this gospel evolved into this idea that Yeshua was now Deity (equal with the prior God of Moses). Yeshua (now glorified) was exalted to Godhood. This new gospel started mostly with the teachings at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Emperor Constantine was the political leader at that time and he desired to promote this new Christian gospel to the people. The political/religious philosophy of Constantine was key to promoting this coming Catholic hierarchy. Amazing history.
Gradually, this new gospel became central and dominant for all believers who desired a political/religious hierarchy to rule over them. Roman Catholicism emerged over time and by the time of 451 A.D. (at the Council of Chalcedon) Yeshua had become the GOD MAN who could save everyone from their sins. A new gospel of salvation was preached by this new hierarchical Christian Church in Rome. The Pope (the leader of the cult) became the Vicar of Christ (on earth). Amazing!
What started out as a gospel of the coming Kingdom of Yahweh (during the lifetime of Yeshua) turned into a new gospel (theology) centered around the idea that Yeshua was now Deity (God Almighty) and also the Creator of mankind. Yeshua was now the GOD MAN who ruled from the heavens as he had been 'glorified' AFTER his death on the tree. Apparently, he was now 2nd in command at the right-hand of Yahweh.
By 325 A.D. the idea of a Trinity emerged which made the historical Yeshua equal with the Father and of the same 'substance' as the Father. This idea of God as a Trinity (three God Person's) became standard theology for ALL Christians to adopt as their worldview. The Catholic Church adopted this theology and preached these ideas to all disciples who desired salvation and eternal life. Christianity was now a 'replacement' for the prior historical Judaism. Replacement theology emerged everywhere!
The historical Yeshua who desired to be a SERVANT of Yahweh during his lifetime and who desired to promote the KINGDOM of his God (Yahweh) perished from religious reality as this NEW theology of a Trinity with Jesus as the GOD MAN emerged. Today, this theology, derived from Paul's teachings, is preached for the entire body of Christian believers to adopt (now some 2.6 billion). God is a Trinity and Jesus is the GOD MAN for planet Earth. Amazing!
As of 2022, many thinking believers in God desire to CORRECT all this deception which has emerged since the days of Paul of Tarsus. A respected scholar that I find credible is Bart Ehrman, https://ehrmanblog.org/, who is exposing much of this deception to the world of religious thinkers. Another is this rabbi over in Jerusalem called Tovia Singer, https://outreachjudaism.org/. Bart and Tovia should collaborate on issues of history and theological reality IMO.
My personal study and research shows that Evangelical Christianity is now a dying theology which will eventually be replaced with a new spiritual reality (understanding) based upon the idea that our CREATOR GOD rules this planet. This CREATOR GOD is not Yeshua/Jesus and the Vicar of Christ (our global Pope) is not representing religious reality with validity and truth as he promotes himself and his Church as the only valid theology for TRUE believers.
In reality, this Trinity God of Christianity is based upon PAGAN theology. It was derived from PAGAN theology (under Constantine after 325 A.D.). The idea that a Jew from Nazareth is GOD is also a PAGAN idea. The created can not be the CREATOR. Yeshua did not DESIRE to be God and he certainly did not portray this idea during his brief lifetime as a Jew. Yeshua PRAYED to his God (who was 'separate' from him). Think of his behavior while at Gethsemane to discern this 'separateness'.
Yeshua believed in the TORAH/TANAKH and this text viewed Yahweh (the God of Israel) as the ONLY God and Creator of mankind. A human messenger/representative can not be God Almighty. A Messiah person can not be God. A Prophet can not be God. God is a transcendent being who has given us NO IMAGE of himself. I worship God by faith and without any IMAGE. Images are a form of IDOLATRY. God does not respect IDOLATRY (images with the mind).
Give this rendition some reflection at your leisure. Think for yourself and develop your logic as you learn from experience. I must do likewise. Have a great day! I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
My research and study reveals that theological 'imagination' is behind the doctrines of the Christian Church. The Christian Church has now existed for almost 2,000 years. This body of believers (called the Church) started to emerge after 33 A.D. (after the death of Yeshua). Yeshua was this Jew from Nazareth who captured the 'imagination' of his followers (as Messiah) AFTER his 'glorification' experience.
Yes, Yeshua, was glorified by his Father God (Yahweh) immediately at the point of his death on the tree (say 33 A.D.). Yeshua was a human being (with a spirit self) just like you and me. This 'spirit' self (within Yeshua) is what got 'glorified' immediately at the point of his passing (death). Our bodies go into the grave (after physical death) but our 'spirit' self gets 'glorified' IF our transcendent God chooses to continue the LIFE of a human being. God is our Potter/Creator and he can act to preserve our 'spirit' at point of death.
Yeshua lived on our planet from around 4 B.C. to 33 A.D. (give or take). He was a Jew from the Tribe of Judah who had a special gift (anointing) from his Father God. This history (of Yeshua) is well documented and most thinkers agree that Yeshua was a real person who lived on our planet. He was born to Mary and Joseph (probably in Nazareth) and he evolved in this Messiah person over his lifetime.
After Yeshua's death a series of mental/conscious experiences produced a group of believers who desired to Deify this Jew from Nazareth. The idea was that he MUST have been special (a son or the son) as he made select 'appearances' within the Consciousness of select believers AFTER his physical death. Was he God and Man (simultaneously)? Was he Deity (in the flesh)? Did he have TWO natures (Divine and Human)? Who was this person who captured the inner beliefs of select disciples?
What happened (in reality) to produce this Church called The Way (and later the orthodox Christian Church). It appears to me that the BIG revelation was the select VISIONS which believers experienced (within their Consciousness) AFTER the physical death of Yeshua. These visions are also called 'appearances'. Today, we can imagine these 'appearances' as VIRTUAL experiences within one's Consciousness. They are nearly as REAL as an 'observed' experience.
Virtual reality is so REAL to most people that they will assume that the 'images' within a Smart Phone are real objects within Spacetime. An example is our money unit (the dollar). Today, our 'dollar' is a VIRTUAL unit of my/your Consciousness (nothing physical) but few deny the reality of this unit (within our 'imagination'). It 'appears' within our Consciousness ($) just like the 'glorified' Yeshua appeared virtually (after his death) within the Consciousness of select believers. MY sense is that the REAL story of Yeshua's afterlife is based on VIRTUAL experiences (not this story of a DEAD body coming back to life).
The idea that the DEAD body of Yeshua had any significance does not RING true to me. This mangled dead body (after his crucifixion) was later resurrected (within the mind) by select believers and a STORY was concocted to give this body a newly resurrected LIFE (meaning). My sense is that this never happened in real-time. But what happened (in reality) is that Yeshua's SPIRIT self got 'glorified' immediately at his point of death (passing)...by the decision of his God/Father. This, to me, is reality and the STORY of a physical resurrection (a DEAD mangled body coming back to life) is pure MYTH (fakery).
Yes, Yeshua, is now 'glorified' and living as a spirit self within our greater spiritual universe. He ascended to his Father (our Creator God). He is next to God the Father (Yahweh) in the spiritual heavens which we can access within our 'spiritual' Consciousness (NOW). He is alive and active as he can send 'spiritual' messages to select believers with his speech or a virtual image. He also did receive spiritual POWER from his Father (our CREATOR God) who sits (as a Singularity) on the THRONE. You can visualize this reality when you read Revelation 4 - 5 and also Daniel 7. Read and discern.
The STORY of Yeshua (who many call Jesus Christ) is a story which got concocted AFTER his death by select theological writers (Greek thinkers mostly) who then labeled these stories with text (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that was later canonized by an orthodox body of believers. This canonization produced the Church of Christianity (over time). Today, we call this Church the Catholic Church and the Pope has been made the Vicar of Christ (the person who represents the glorified Yeshua). After 2,000 years of a Church Age we are now in 2022 (the END of this Church Age).
The many stories and deceptions of Christendom (Roman and other) have changed and evolved over these 2,000 years. There are some 2.6 billion believers (today) who accept some of the stories as being real and authentic. As I read the history of this Church Age I discover many confusing and deceptive stories from the various religious bodies who have bought into these stories. Today, we have Roman Catholic believers, Eastern Orthodox believers, Oriental Christian believers, Protestant denominational believers, etc. etc. All differ with their many STORIES!
What likely happened after 33 A.D. (death of Yeshua) is that the many 'appearances' which were virtually REAL did produce a group of believers who desired to develop a THEOLOGY from these virtual experiences. This theology grew, changed, and varied from believer to believer and power center to power center. Stories developed and they became DOGMA and DOCTRINE (over time). Today, all this is being digested by Scholars and Thinkers and reconstructed to reflect current reality.
Bart Ehrman is one biblical scholar who is popular today (see above video) with his renditions of what might have happened. Bart has written many books on all these issues. Tovia Singer, a rabbi in Jerusalem, is another scholar who challenges the many confusing stories and the logic of New Testament writings. The number is growing daily and you can witness this reality on today's Youtube internet. Today's interconnected world of the internet is bringing us NEW realities on all these past stories and narratives.
Yes, the 'imagination' of theologians has produced these writings in this book called The Bible. The Catholic Church has been prominent in producing many stories and doctrines. The Protestant Churches have done similar. Everyone is becoming aware of the confusion within our various Church presentations. Who knows what really happened? Who understands spiritual TRUTH? What is fable and what is REAL? It's all up to each person to discern. Wisdom comes from thinking on one's own.
The Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. started this God Man story. Then the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. codified and expanded this God Man theory (that the 'glorified' Yeshua/Jesus Christ) is God Almighty and equal to the historical Yahweh of the Hebrew tradition. My sister thinks Jehovah is Jesus and Jesus is Jehovah. I think her perception is similar to millions within this religion called Evangelical Christianity. Beliefs get magnified by theologians and pastors who have a gift of rhetoric and a strong inner belief.
What is reality and what is FABLE is hard to discern. Each person must do their own research and study. My view is MINE. It is based upon my logic and my understanding of history. For me, Yahweh/Father, is my Creator God. Yeshua/Jesus is my spiritual friend (now glorified) who acquired his relevance from our transcendent Creator God. Yes, he is glorified and alive in the spiritual realm. My hope is similar. Have a great day! Do some thinking on these issues on your own! It's education for the MIND!
Most Christians believe that Jesus/Yeshua is God! I find this deceptive! Think for yourself!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
The rhetoric is now becoming 'spiritual' as our politicians continue to ramp up the negatives over in the Ukraine area and the Middle East. The West wants to send more $$$$$ to Ukraine from sanctioned RESERVES (some $300 billion of Russian reserves). If this is approved, I expect some strong reaction from Russia. What is now happening in our World can not lead to progress, peace, or security IMO.
There are 12 days left until the mid-term elections in the USA. My sense is that the Biden administration will suffer a huge loss...as our voters reflect on all these growing negatives. Our economy is in a shambles and this situation will get MUCH worse after the mid-term elections IMO.
Real estate is heading for a crash as prices start their DECLINE. Even if Powell 'pivots' and starts to LOWER interest rates, this will not help. The problem is a growing 'negative' sentiment among the populace. Voters are finally becoming AWARE that we have many PROBLEMS which can not be solved by Biden and his Deep State Operators. Will the Republicans be any better?
My sense is that they will start a process of DEALING with some of these serious political problems. Once this starts, the problems will likely MAGNIFY. What has happened for years is a policy of 'kicking the can down the road'. This policy could END if the republicans win the House and the Senate. You can witness all the economic numbers here: www.usdebtclock.org.
America is obviously in decline as our politicians have NO positive solutions to the KEY problems. Our DEBT is unpayable. Our status in the world is declining. The 'rules based' policies of the WEST are being ignored by the EAST. Our Biden administration wants a uni-polar world system so THEY can control the SYSTEM. The Putin, Xi, Kim administrations dislike this control system of the WEST.
The EAST wants a multi-polar world system and they are in the process of setting this up now. We could have two world systems by the end of 2022. The EAST wants to shun the WEST. The WEST wants to eliminate the EAST. War is the tool for this result. War, however, can not lead to PROGRESS for the people! We need a New Model.
The rhetoric is now turning to a 'spiritual' battle as the Russians are calling the WEST 'satanic'. Is the WEST a 'satanic' enterprise? The issues are complex and many of us do believe that SATAN plays a role within our world system. So calling the WEST 'satanic' is logical to me. The EAST may also be 'satanic'. According to my view of reality, DARK forces rule over the governing systems of this planet!
The Prince of Darkness could be SATAN and his agents (all invisible to the human eye). Invisible forces appear to rule over this universe and these forces produce both LIGHT and DARKNESS. Good and Evil are prevalent within our human system. All these 'invisible' forces play a ROLE in the events which we experience. Few comprehend this reality as the 'invisible' is dismissed as uncertain and unknowable.
Are we living in the End-times? My sense is YES. If this is TRUE then we all need to get 'spiritual' with our thinking. Russia seems to sense this spiritual reality as they are now calling events 'Satanism'. See the video above. The world system needs a NEW MODEL. Capitalism is over and Communism is also dead. We need a NEW MODEL which promotes PEOPLE. People must come FIRST. Money needs to be ELIMINATED!
Will any of this happen in my lifetime? All is uncertain but my sense is that events can happen quickly in this digital age of interconnectedness. The coming mid-term elections, November 8, could create a change in direction for America. I will be watching the results and hoping that our voters will make WISE decisions. We certainly need meaningful change. Think for yourself as you watch events in REAL-TIME. Have a good day!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
From Abraham to today, God has confirmed by signs and words that his 'covenant' with Israel (the Jews and the 12 tribes of Israel) is an eternal 'covenant'. Look up at the Sun and Moon and Stars for evidence: Zechariah 8:7. Yes, Yahweh has confirmed that we ALL are sinners (at the core) yet God will redeem us ALL over his chosen time period. God works through his created people to accomplish his PLAN. God has not 'replaced' his chosen (the 12 tribes) with another set of believers (called Gentiles) on issues of destiny IMO.
Trying to say that God has 'replaced' historical Israel with a NEW Israel (the Gentile Church) is fallacious thinking IMO. Many believers today are recognizing this reality and abandoning all these apostate churches which preach this message. Some 70% of all Christian Churches (7 out of 10) preach that historical Israel (the Jews and/or Israelites) were 'replaced' with a Gentile Church after 70 A.D. Paul of Tarsus emerged as the primary spokesperson for these Gentile Churches of Christianity which advance this false theology.
After the destruction of the 2nd Temple of Yahweh in 70 A.D. the Jews (all the Israelite tribes) were scattered and this replacement cult (called The Way/later called Christianity) emerged from the wreckage. This history is important to understand as it has led to 2,000 years of a Gentile Church Age (under Roman Catholic Christianity mostly) including a new theology which emerged after Nicaea (325 A.D.). This new theology led to the Catholic religion (our various Popes, Cardinals, Bishops) and later the Protestant denominations (after the Reformation period). Some 2.6 billion (today) call themselves Christians!
Prior to the destruction of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem (70 A.D.) the core beliefs on issues of God were mostly that of historical Judaism. The God of Israel, YHWH, was at the core. The Torah was the reference point for theological issues...and the God of Abraham/Moses/David (Yahweh) was viewed as our Creator God. Then in 29 A.D. (+-) a major event happened. This Jew from Nazareth emerged on the scene (after baptism by his cousin, John) and a new theology gradually developed (mostly after Yeshua's death in 33 A.D.).
Yeshua (who many call Jesus today) emerged on the religious scene in 29 A.D. (+-) and proclaimed that the KINGDOM of his GOD (Yahweh/Father) was near...essentially at the door. After Yeshua was baptised his worldview developed. Yeshua's cousin, John the Baptist, was later killed (beheaded) by Herod Antipas. Yeshua then started his own ministry and developed followers who bought into his message/ministry. The core message/gospel of Yeshua was that the KINGDOM of his GOD (God the Father, also called Yahweh) was near...essentially at the door.
This message (gospel) was preached for some three years (+-) in and around Jerusalem and the Galilee area. Some 70 - 72 believers (disciples) preached this gospel (of the coming KINGDOM) to mostly Israelites who understood the Torah and the prior doctrines of Abraham/Moses/David. These Israelites were waiting for the promised KINGDOM of GOD which was outlined in the Torah and other Jewish scriptures: see Isaiah 2 and 11 for reference. The Kingdom was promised for the planet but it ended up being rejected in 33 A.D. The issues are complex and many differing viewpoints have evolved from this history.
The message of John the Baptist (before his beheading) was (apparently) that all the Israelites should REPENT and turn to the GOD of Israel (Yahweh/Father) so that this KINGDOM could arrive for everyone. Yeshua preached this gospel (of the Kingdom) even while his contemporaries, the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, rejected this ministry (they apparently thought Yeshua wanted to present himself as Yahweh God...a blasphemy to these confused believers at his trial). All this confusion led to this cult emerging called The Way (later Christianity). Confusion, diversity, and politics led to this new religion developing for our planet.
In reality, Yeshua never desired to be God (Yahweh) IMO...but after his death (a political/religious ordeal that got nasty) many confused followers gradually started a cult (called The Way) which gradually evolved (after Paul's evangelism) into this monolithic church (religion) which became dominant after the time of Constantine the Great (who then promoted a Catholic Christianity for the Empire so as to enhance his political regime). By 325 A.D. this cult of Christianity had evolved into a cult of Christ (Jesus was the guru).
This cult emerged from no historical written words from Yeshua/Jesus (the key character). What happened was that oral testimony (about his beliefs) developed over the years and stories became infused into the memories of believers who viewed this person as a MESSIAH person. Gradually, a body of believers emerged (under Greek thinkers) and a gospel was written down under the labels of assumed eye witnesses. Each Gospel was unique and different yet it produced a Gentile religion which grew and prospered.
Christianity, this cult, gradually grew into this Catholic religion in Rome, Italy (with Popes, Cardinals, and Bishops) who desired to be the 'Vicar' of Christ for all believers. This entity dominated and controlled nearly everyone who had an inner/spiritual mindset as they had political clout and also spiritual clout. Control over the people and their spiritual beliefs was KEY to total political control over the world system. All this happened (gradually and relentlessly) after the death of this Messiah person, whom we call Yeshua/Jesus.
The new Catholic Gentile Church (along with select politicians) controlled the world systems and promoted this idea called REPLACEMENT theology (a view that the old testament God was anathema/changed and a new testament God had emerged with Yeshua/Jesus at the center (Jesus had been glorified and was now Deity). A new covenant was promoted along with a new theology of Christianity (where the prior Jews of the Torah, non-gentiles, were 'REPLACED' so that this new covenant could evolve into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (now the glorified God who was now EQUAL to the prior God of Abraham/Moses/David).
A new theology emerged (gradually) with this TRINITY doctrine (a form of idolatry to the God of Israel) and with the exaltation of Yeshua (now viewed as glorified and at the right hand of the Father) in the heavens. Yeshua was made EQUAL with the prior God of Abraham/Moses/David (in 325 A.D.) at the Council of Nicaea. A 'hypostatic union' was espoused. The old testament Jewish believers (who viewed God as ONE God/transcendent) where essentially REPLACED (theologically) so that a NEW COVENANT of SALVATION could emerge (under Jesus) for the entire world.
The writings of this false evangelist, called Paul of Tarsus, became the key reference point for this New Covenant (where the CHURCH of Jesus Christ was central and dominant for ALL believers). God, our Creator (theologians assumed), had REPLACED the Jews (of old) with a NEW theology so that the Kingdom of Jesus could arrive for the world. All this continued (gradually) from 33 A.D. to the present time (2022 A.D.). Replacement theology has created this Gentile Christian religion and their various doctrines for all believers to buy into as GOSPEL. It's all mostly gross deception when fully understood!
Historical Jews were persecuted by the Christian world religious system in Rome and worldwide as God supposedly had rejected them. The evidence was the DESTRUCTION of the 2nd Temple of Yahweh in 70 A.D. Gradually, pogroms and Jewish Antisemitism emerged in most Gentile nations as a punishment for Jewish 'sins'. The history of Antisemitism has not ended as of today (2022). Antisemitism is prevalent and the God of Israel is rejected by most God believers. HaShem is the God of Israel. All this needs to change if God's Kingdom is to emerge going forward!
Today, many scholars, believers, and philosophers are recognizing that this so-called Church Age (of Gentile Christianity) is OVER and done. These theological thinkers are now proclaiming that the END is here for this Church Age and this has led to a denunciation of Replacement Theology. The emergence of a new doctrine has developed where ISRAEL (the Israelites, and Jews) are RESTORED...so that the real KINGDOM of GOD can arrive for our planet. Church theology and Prophecy is now focused on End-times eschatology (the Church Age is essentially over) as historical ISRAEL emerges to REPLACE the prior Replacement theology of orthodox Gentile Christianity.
After some 2,000 years of theology centered on the exaltation of Jesus as King (and God), the new eschatology is either a 2nd Coming theology (promoted mostly by Evangelical Christianity) and/or a new Messianic coming (promoted by historical Judaism). The so-called Gentile Christian believers (who advocated this Replacement Theology for 2,000 years) now desire a RAPTURE (escape) into the heavens to meet their glorified Jesus...prior to their return some seven years later to RULE planet Earth via their King Jesus. This is called the 2nd Coming of King Jesus to reign over planet Earth for some 1,000 years!
Orthodox Rabbi's (Jews) are now recognizing this collapse of apostate Christianity (their core theology) and they have started to promote a 3rd Temple in Jerusalem (as recognition of their God...Yahweh/Father/HaShem) along with a new Messianic theology for those who think that God is bringing the world his spiritual KINGDOM for the entire planet. The spiritual battle is now between our End-time thinkers (within apostate Christianity) and Jewish Rabbi's (over in the restored Israel/Jerusalem) who view a NEW Messiah as arriving for the world. Is this our reality today?
The BIG news is that we are living in the END TIMES for all religion and the RULE of man (regular politics) IMO. The End of man's rule appears to be approaching for our planet IMO. Our CREATOR GOD (IMO) is bringing us his KINGDOM RULE (for the entire planet) as his 6,000 year plan (of man) is ending. The emerging trend is the 1,000 year Kingdom Age where our Creator God rules over our Universe and our Planet. That is my sense of reality as of today. Each person will need to THINK for themselves on all these issues.
My summary of spiritual/political events are the following:
1. From creation to Yeshua (some 4,000 years). Adam, Eve, Flood, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David.
2. From Yeshua to the present (some 2,000 years). Exaltation of Jesus to God, Church Age, End Times.
3. From Armageddon to the end of Kingdom Age (some 1,000 years). New Jerusalem, New man.
The End Times are apparently here as God's Plan of the Ages seems to proclaim this reality. The current political systems are ending. Capitalism is over. Communism is over. The Ukraine war is part of this end-time series of events, and the confusion of our times is here as nothing works under the current systems of man's rule. This summary is a general overview for your consideration. The BIG story is that the prior REPLACEMENT theology of apostate Christianity is ending. A new theology is emerging where the historical descendants of Jacob emerge. JACOBS TROUBLE is part of this theology!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
This Catholic Priest says there is OBJECTIVE truth (independent of himself). As a philosopher, I would reject this assertion. In reality, his so-called 'objective' truth is derived from himself (his subjective mind). My logic says that this makes his assertions ALL subjective (part of his belief system). His SPIN of words tries to make reality BOTH subjective and objective. But when I watch his 'words' I notice that all his philosophy is derived from himself (his mindset). Listen to his spin and think for yourself!
What I have experienced during my lifetime is my personal 'subjective' truth on all issues of life. I currently believe that I can ACCEPT you (everyone let's say) as enunciating your 'subjective' truth on an issue which I simultaneously reject as false. I now believe that you are expressing your subjective 'truth' and I am simultaneously expressing my subjective 'truth'. We both could be wrong even as we both differ on issues of reality in the NOW. Is there 'objective' truth independent of a human perspective? I say NO!
My logic says NO. We could agree on an issue of reality and call this agreement 'objective' truth. But this still would be 'subjective' truth as neither of us KNOWS 'objective' reality fully/completely. The paradox of reality is that I think my 'truth' is valid (for everyone) and you think your 'truth' is valid (for everyone). Personally, I accept your 'truth' as valid for you (right NOW) and I ask that you accept my 'truth' as valid for me (right NOW). Neither of us can speak for everyone and claim objective truth derives from our perspective wholly. Is this a paradox or what?
Personally, I solve my paradox with the idea that there is a Higher Intelligence (invisible) which is absolute TRUTH. For me, OBJECTIVE TRUTH is a reality (beyond myself) even as I am unable to ACCESS this absolute TRUTH in the NOW moment. My logic says that I am NOT God and this makes me LESS than God. If I am LESS than God, then my logic says that my 'truth' is subjective. I can not be God (objective) and Man (subjective) at the same moment. So is everyone on our planet expressing 'subjective' truth (each moment of NOW)? My sense is YES!
My logic says that we have some 8 billion human person's on this planet (as of NOW). This is my subjective opinion. My next question is: can anyone of these 8 billion enunciate 'absolute' truth for the planet? My experience with people is that NONE is capable of enunciating 'absolute' truth for everyone. As human beings we are uncertain/limited/unknowing. Not ONE person (on our planet) can enunciate 'absolute' truth for the whole. If this is valid thinking, then reality on this planet is 'subjective' and 'relative'.
The reality (for me) is that I need to ACCEPT each person's journey (life experiences) on this planet as valid for them even as I think for myself on all the issues. This means that I will disagree with another person (on many issues) even as I ACCEPT the other person's point of view (as relevant/valid for them). Only God (our Creator IMO) has a complete objective point-of-view that encompasses everyone IMO. Our Potter has a viewpoint that is ABSOLUTE IMO.
You and I can not see reality completely/objectively (is my viewpoint) and this means we must ACCEPT each other's viewpoint...even as we simultaneously DISAGREE on many issues of reality (in the NOW). I, for example, disagree with many of my Christian friends, my siblings, and my enemies on the issue of WHO is God. I can not (today) accept the viewpoint that Yeshua (Jesus to many) is God Almighty (or was God Almighty when on this earth in human form). But I still need to ACCEPT the viewpoint of those who hold this view (as being a valid viewpoint for them). After-all, we ALL have our own 'subjective' viewpoint on truth and reality!
The above is what I call a paradox in that I must ACCEPT reality as being RELATIVE (in the NOW) even as I seek my TRUTH which appears ABSOLUTE to me (in the NOW). Truth (from God) is absolute (to me). Why? Because I view God as Creator of us ALL. Yet, I must simultaneously ACCEPT that my truth (from God) may not be YOUR truth (from your God). Does this produce a world of RELATIVE viewpoints as we live our lives? I think so! As human beings we live in the NOW moment (always). What does this mean? Can anyone claim to hold the FINAL truth for everyone in this NOW moment?
As I live in the NOW (always)...this means that I must live with a paradox (if I desire to get along with others). My viewpoint on reality will be my unique truth on issues of reality even as I accept your truth as valid for you. I presume that YOUR viewpoint on reality is derived from YOUR life journey (history/culture/education). Each of us will SEE reality differently (on many issues) even as we ACCEPT each other as doing the BEST that we can (in the NOW moment). Is that what I experience as I live my life?
I live life in the NOW (continually) and if I desire to get along with others I must ACCEPT the 'other' (in the NOW). Acceptance of the 'other' does not mean total AGREEMENT (however) with the 'other' on a particular issue of life or that one person is 'right' and the other is 'wrong'. Since I see God as my FATHER (a singularity) and you see God (let's say) as a Trinity (assuming you are an Evangelical Christian)...we can ACCEPT each other (as person's) even as we disagree on this ISSUE of theology.
This philosophy of ACCEPTANCE (even as we disagree) is crucial to having a positive RELATIONSHIP with the 'other' IMO. After-all, who can KNOW final reality on this planet (completely)? Can anyone KNOW reality in some FINAL form (in the NOW)? I would say that our experiences of reality (in the NOW) prohibits this conclusion. Each person has a UNIQUE life journey (set of experiences) and thus a UNIQUE perspective on issues of reality. What does this MEAN for our relationships? Should Biden accept Putin and vice versa (as a valid political person)?
I would suggest that political leaders MUST accept a contrarian viewpoint (in the NOW) even while disagreeing with that viewpoint. If progress is to happen on this planet, then we need to ACCEPT contrarian viewpoints (in the NOW). Accepting a contrarian viewpoint does not mean AGREEING with that viewpoint. But to make positive progress we need to negotiate (peacefully) in the NOW and refuse military solutions for determining 'rightness'...where one viewpoint eliminates the other (by FORCE).
Positive progress is IMPOSSIBLE if military force becomes the ONLY option for settling disagreements. The end result of military force is TOTAL destruction of all living persons. Today, we have NUCLEAR options which could eliminate ALL bodies on this planet. All this could be the RESULT of political disagreements on issues of reality. Putin sees reality different from Biden (for example). Who is right? Who is wrong? Could it be possible that BOTH think they are RIGHT (in the NOW)? Can we reconcile this paradox peacefully? I think so!
I would say that BOTH (Biden and Putin) can think they are RIGHT even as they BOTH could be wrong in terms of ultimate reality. Only GOD IMO knows ultimate reality. Putin and Biden can only express RELATIVE/subjective reality (as they see it). If PEACE is to happen on this planet we need to THINK differently about REALITY. The reality of 'truth' is actually a paradox as NONE of us can enunciate FINAL (ultimate TRUTH) for everyone. The best I can do is enunciate my RELATIVE/subjective truth. Listen to the Priest video above and discern his 'subjective' viewpoint (and his claim to KNOW objective truth). Does he deceive us with his SPIN on words?
To solve this PUZZLE of reality I need a philosophy where I ACCEPT the other person's viewpoint (as valid for them) even as I REJECT that viewpoint (as valid for me). We each have a LIFE journey that is unique and this produces viewpoints which seem RIGHT (to each of us) even as our viewpoint is LESS than absolute for the whole society. We are human beings who SEE reality incompletely (each moment of NOW). This is our condition in the NOW IMO.
My philosophy works in the NOW as I ACCEPT you (in the NOW) even as I REJECT some of your ideas on the issues of life (in the NOW). This seems like a PARADOX...but it WORKS to avoid conflicts which are negative (like that between Putin and Biden over the Ukraine issue). Our worldview (on reality) must change so that ALL viewpoints are ACCEPTED (as valid) even as we REJECT all viewpoints (as valid for oneself). I can accept you even as I disagree with you on a particular issue!
We must AGREE to DISAGREE on issues of reality even as we negotiate peacefully on these issues. Let's AGREE that no-one has FINAL TRUTH on any issue of reality. Only GOD has FINAL TRUTH. We human's live 'at effect' (on this planet) and this means we NEVER can assume FINAL TRUTH (on issues of reality). Reality changes (moment by moment) as we THINK and ACT in each NOW moment. Who should be our FINAL SOURCE for TRUTH? I say LET GOD BE GOD! God (our invisible Source) is FINAL truth. Man operates as an AGENT where final truth gets revealed by our actions over time.
I live in the NOW (always) and each moment of NOW is somewhat UNCERTAIN for me. God rules, however, over everyone IMO and I act on that which I receive from this ultimate SOURCE as meaningful truth for me. This means that I can NEVER espouse any FINAL TRUTH (for you). I can only express MY personal unique truth for me (as I am NOT GOD). You are also NOT GOD IMO so we both need to ACCEPT each other (even while we disagree on some/many issues of life). Does any of this make SENSE? It seems logical to me. Have a great day as you experience your own reality (in the NOW).
Sam Harris, an atheist friend, gives us a relevant understanding of NOW (as our only reality)! Listen and think on this idea of always living in the NOW! For me, the NOW is one 'truth' that everyone could agree with on most issues of life! The 'past' is a NOW memory. The 'future' is a NOW expectation!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
